Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1887-12-11
LEADING QUESTIONS.
PROMINENT SUBJECTS TO COME BEFORE
TIE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.
Good Hopes Of Debt-settlement-G Governor
Lss-cenyict Labor on the Capitol
sQ6are-Personals, &c,

tuV ftuiaiueu hefc dttcnuluB 10 NOtk
which is pressing upon him in connec-
ton with the legislative session. He is
spxious for the State TO seize the present
opportunity and close up tho debt ques-
ton, and is contributing all OF his en-
ergies 10 that contamination most de-
voutly 30 be wished for.
LETTER PROM Mr.. BoYAII.
II was understood yesterday that
Mr.. Royal had written or was going
TO write 20 Governor Leo stating
that the officers OF the Commonwealth
in various portions OF tho State were
about to cause executions to issue under
"tho coupon-crusher," and declaring
that this might prove fatal to negotla-
tions for a settlement.
The Governor in his message recon-
mcnded that the operations OF the
coupon-crusher be suspended for ashort
time, so that the Legislature might have
q conference with the representatives,
OF the bondholders. No action on this
suggestion has been taken, simply
because the House is rot yet fully or
ganized for legislative work Speaker
Cardwell not having announced his
committees, but very probably he will
do so tomorrow, IN which case action
will be delayed very little longer.
A "roNTER"
II one may Judge from what he hears
members say, the general sentiment is
thOt the two Finance Committees should
have charge OF this debt subject in pre-
ference to q special committee.
1t is argued that the question properly
belongs 10 these committees, and that
the selection of special committees is in
variGbly attended by such iealousies as
interfeTes with the work to be done.
The steps proposed are that "the
coupon-crusher shall be temporarily
suspended that then the Legislature
shall give the representatives of the
Council OF Bondholders and OF all other
creditors the opportunity of appearing
before their committees.
HOUSE COMMITTEES.
Speaker Cardwell has more than
ordinarily difficult job in appointing the
standing committees, as there are SO
many new members this year.
The committee appointments most
sought after ARE on Roads and Internal
Navigation, Finance, and Courts of JUS
tice. The frst-named committee deals
with railroads, railroad charters, &c. The
second has vast range of business.
As usual thing, every dollars appro-
o,,,gg throunb fbnir houdc
The chairman yields n vast power; but
the position is not one likely to enhance
his popularity, as it is unavoidable that
great numbers of petitions for relief, for
new schemes, &c. must be rejected
The closer the chairman stands by the
Treasury the more apt he Is to make
enemies.
The Committee for Courts is COM
posed of lawyers, and ii is good school
for them. There is not practitioner in
the Commonwealth who could not learn
q great deal in the course of two-years'
service on this committee.
There are other desirable committees,
but these are the most prominent.
FUNDING OF COUPONS.
The work OF funding the States old
1910 bonds and coupons from the con-
sol bonds into new Riddleberger 3's,
which was begun Immediately upon the
announcement OF the United States Su-
preme Courts decision in the hGbeQS-
corpus cases, increases with growing ac-
tiylly. These coupons matured during
the period between July /, 1888, and
Al 4 A.. a.. lot
The fact that these bonds and coupons
az. funded at all is encouraging, and
touhiy so is il when it is known that the
c. oOns are being funded at fifty cents
j., ne dollar, the 10 40's at sixty cents,
al are being presented just as fast as
the full complement of clerks can handle
them. 1t is indeed victory for thu
State that these bonds and coupons can
be gotten off the market and substituted
by the 3's. In other words, Riddle
berger bonds to the amount OF $500 re-
tire 1910 bonds or consol coupons to the
amount Of $1,000.
Up to Yesterday, as stated in the Dis
patch, there had been funded S79. 437
funded yesterday, $4,000; total fund
ing since Judge Bond was reversed,
SI32, 437.
OF the bonds presented yesterday
$4,000 were in one batch. There are IN
the hands of one broker in the city, al
ready listed, $4,000 more. But few
consol bonds have been funded.
At the office Of the Assistant Treasurer
of Richmond previous to the recent de-
cision of the Supreme Court $4,000 in
coupons had been rendered in payment
of taxes. Since that time about $1,000
of these coupons have been withdrawn
and put in for Identification, instead of
resting simply upon a tender.
CONVICT LABOR ON THE CAPITOL SQUARE.
Backed by the recommendation of the
Governor. our city delegation ought to
have no difficulty in repeating the law
as to working zebra-striped penitentlary
conyicts on the Capitol Square. 1t Is
not observable that these odious crea-
lures do their work particularly well,
while they keep up constant conmunl-
cation between the penitentiary and the
outside world, to the prejudice of good
discipline. For the work done by them
the General Assembly makes a nominal
appropriation OF 81, 900 per annum, and
q special guard over them is paid $40
per month.
These convicts are eyesores to the
public, and strangers seeing them at
work in the Capitol Square generally
take the Capitol to be the penitentiary.
FIRE DEPARTMENT..
The bin TO put the Richmond Fire De
pattment under the control OF board OF
live non-partisan citizens is being gen
orally endorsed by the community and
will soon be introduced in both of the
houses. II il becomes law the fircmen
will be elected and governed rs the po-
lice are now.
TIE KLLIs-HousroN CONTEST.
The Senate Committee on Privileges
and Elections, OF which MIR. Charles p.
Jones, OF Highland, is chairman, held
its first meeting Friday afternoon and
proceeded 10 tho consideration Of the
papers in the contest Of Mr.. Ellis for the
seat now held by Mr.. Houston, from the
Roanoke district. Dir. Il. b. Munford,
counsel for the contested, was out OF the
city. Mr.. Henry Gibson, Of Roanoke,
appeared us counsel for Houston. Ex-
Senator Marshall was present, but took
no part.
The committee did not remain in see-